More with Federation of Hamilton Neighbourhood Associations' Lauren McCrawley

TIOH: Talk a little about how important you feel 'framing' is when it comes to NAs. 

McCrawley: I always go back to the story about 'The Honeymooners' Jackie Gleason. When he was a touring comic, he'd have a nap in the afternoon. And he tell his body it was time to have a snooze by changing into pyjamas. 

TIOH: He 'framed' his nap. 

McCrawley: Yes. And how we frame our NAs matters just as much. It's about acknowledging, it's about recognizing...it's about celebrating. 

For starters, we believe in NA signs on the street. We believe it's paramount to have NA signs showing where the neighbourhood is. What it consists of. 

TIOH: I love them. They're all different!

McCrawley: Exactly! They're all declarations of pride, like flags. It's where that all-important feeling of belonging starts. 

TIOH: Whose idea was it to partner-up with Neighbourhood Watch for the NA signs?

McCrawley: A volunteer at one of our Ward 9 NAs. 

TIOH: And each NA has a presence on public garbage cans. Litter bins. 

McCrawley: Yes. Consistent branding. Also paramount. 

TIOH: And there seem to be so many more bins in neighbourhoods now. It's got to be more convenient not to litter with them being so convenient. 

McCrawley: (smiling)

TIOH: OK, so let's shift to the electronic world for a moment. 

McCrawley: Sure. Each NA has a site. This is the Internet equivalent of a 'public square'. And attached to the site is a blog. And message boards. Additionally, we recommend a Facebook page. And links to a BIA if that exists, as well as a gamut of community elements. 

The next layer is a Ward site. Linking all the NAs. This is the ward's 'public square'. With all of the above elements. 

Finally, there's the Federation site. Which acts as a portal, featuring links to the NA and Ward levels. 

TIOH: That's a lot of interconnectivity. 

McCrawley: It's a lot of what they refer to as 'network weaving'.